Stanislas Wawrinka shocks injury-hit Rafa Nadal to win Australian Open and claim first Grand Slam title

The world No 1 was struggling with a back injury as he went down in four sets as the Swiss secures a shock win in Melbourne

Injured Rafa Nadal has suffered a sensational defeat in the final of the Australian Open to Stanislas Wawrinka.

The Spaniard was in tears in court from the pain of a back injury and then mounted a brave third set fightback.

The world No 1
lost 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in two hours and 21 minutes in a huge shock.

The new Swiss No 1
had never even taken a set off the Spaniard in their previous 12 meetings.

But in a dramatic match, Wawrinka played superbly to win the first set before Nadal suffered a back injury in the third game of the second. He went off for a medical timeout - with Wawrinka angrily demanding to know why - and the topless Spaniard was booed on his return to the Rod Laver Arena.

The world No 1 struggled to move on court and could barely serve as he fell two sets down after 75 minutes.

Instead of retiring, Nadal came out swinging at the start of the third set and broke to take a 3-0 lead on his way to the set. Helped by treatment or painkillers, he got back into this crazy match by changing his service action and just swinging the ball in with his arms. His first serve speed dropped from the normal 130mph to around 90mph before creeping up again.

Wawrinka seemed confused how to play his injured opponent but returned to the offensive to take the match.

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Crocked: Nadal struggled with a back injury

Stepping out of Roger Federer's shadow, he is the first Grand Slam winner from outside the Big Four since Juann Martin Del Potro at the 2009 US Open.

After beating Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Wawrinka becomes the first man to defeat the No 1 and No 2 seeds at a Grand Slam since Sergi Bruguera at 1993 Roland Garros.

Wawrinka is also the first man to beat both Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same Slam.

The 2014 Australian Open champion said: "Rafa, I am really sorry for you and I hope your back will be fine. You came back to be No 1 last year."

Nadal, who was cheered when he received his runners-up honour following his earlier booing, said to Wawrinka: "Congratulations. You really deserve it. I am sorry to finish this way. I tried very, very hard. Last year was a tough moment when I didn't have the chance to play here. This was one of the more emotional tournaments of my career. Thank you for your support."